Bullet train service linking Spain to France opens

A high-speed rail service linking Spain and France has been inaugurated that will cut the journey time between Barcelona and Paris by half.

Until now the train journey between these two cities took about 12 hours, but the new tracks will enable passengers to complete it in just over six.

Spain’s tourism statistics agency Frontur says travellers make 82 million trips between the two countries annually, mostly by car.

Spain’s train operator Renfe Operadora (RENFE) said it hopes to lure some air-travel passengers.